I was looking at my bank account recently. The dismal amount led me to think about how I could grow my money. You know, as someone in my mid-30s, I ought to have a healthy sum stashed away for rainy days, right? The next thought that came to my mind was: Hmm . . . maybe I should cut back on my giving.
In the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-14), the biggest surprise comes when the master—a man who had just been “ripped off” by his manager—praises him. Why? He “had to admire” the wily worker! (Luke 16:8). Certainly not for the good that he had brought his master, nor for the ethical aspects of his deed, but simply for the shrewdness that he had displayed.
The meaning of the Greek word for shrewd is “to act with foresight.” In other words, he was commended for acting decisively in the present to position himself well for the future.
We, like the shrewd manager, are stewards. God gave us custody of certain resources for a time. Are we using our resources wisely for things that will last in eternity? One way to do so is to “make friends” with those who will gratefully greet us in heaven (Luke 16:9). For example, we could use our money to buy a Bible for someone, donate to a well-digging project for those who need water, or support a missionary.
Jesus continued His teaching on money in verses 10 to 14. Unlike the dishonest steward, we are to be faithful stewards (Luke 16:10-12), and money must never become our god. We must serve God alone (Luke 16:13-14).
May we be shrewd and faithful stewards as we manage our savings and expenditures and investments. Hudson Taylor reminds us, “A little thing is a little thing; but faithfulness in a little thing is a great thing.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 10:25-42
More:
Read Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 for additional insights on stewardship from a man who possessed immense wealth.
Next:
What are some practical ways your money could be used for eternal goals? How has your money management revealed either self- interest or a heart for serving God’s interests?
bluefigtoast on August 1, 2012 at 12:41 am
I may not be able to give all the money I would like to, but I give my time. I am disabled. Sometimes, that is more important. it does not underscore the need to give.
I give to homeless people I meet on the street. Sometimes a dollar, or just spare change. But what if they use the money I gave them to buy booze or cigarettes or drugs? I did not fail. My brother is in need, and I responded. They have to answer to God how they utilised that help.
10 minute powerful video. Change for a dollar.
Not sure if it is okay to put web addresses here, so feel free to delete this, if it is not ok.
http://ipaimpress.com/change-for-a-dollar/
Wayno
Brianbenyosef on August 1, 2012 at 7:24 am
wow!!! that video has really inspired me. My eyes are open a little wider and so is my heart. I feel even less worthy of the grace of GOD. I will strive to be more like the homeless man in the video by the will of GOD. Thank you for the video and touching my heart.
tom felten on August 1, 2012 at 8:51 am
Poh Fang, thanks for bringing up this whole idea of stewardship. Wayno and Brian in their comments both touched on the reality that giving to others is a vital part of glorifying God with what He’s given us. And, as I’ve thought about this, the principle of stewardship applies to all of our lives—time, talents, and treasures. May we, as Oswald Chambers once said, be “broken bread and poured out wine” for Jesus today.
winn collier on August 1, 2012 at 5:37 pm
this has always been a strange passage for me, but so full of insight (unexpected as it may be). thanks for pulling me back to it.
yuenwoh on August 1, 2012 at 7:19 pm
“acting decisively in the present to position himself well for the future.” – love this quote.
Use our money to “make friends” in heaven or “help friends get into heaven.” – what a wonderful picture of witnessing and it’s price!
Invest in eternity: he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose .. Jim Eliott
Thanks.
daisymarygoldr on August 1, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Good post and comments, Poh Fang and all! The parable of the shrewd steward is not about giving in terms of giving alms to the homeless beggar on the street. We are being told to use our earthly resources to lead people to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Back in the church where I grew up, the men often travel to distant places to preach the gospel and at their own expense. You see, there was no way to ask around for any money because the church was made up of the poorest of the poor. Often these outreach programs were planned on pagan festival days. Meaning Christians made more money by working on these restricted holidays. On the other hand to go on gospel campaigns meant losing money from their pockets. In such instances, Luke 16: 9 was a big encouragement for those who struggled about taking time off from work—lose the extra pay in order to invest their own money and win souls for eternity.
There is nothing wrong to save for the rainy day. The ants save food for the winter. We must not over-save. That is a sure sign of greed. The other day while house-hunting, my husband stood with his eyes and mouth wide open for what seemed like eternity, gawking at the amount of food stashed away in the basement’s Mormon pantry. Saving is not hoarding. Besides what is the guarantee if tomorrow comes… and we or our children would even get to use the money and the stuff we stockpiled for the future?
In this world, people feel secure when we have enough saved for the future. However, Jesus is saying that real security is when we use our worldly wealth to win souls for Christ. This is the only value all our material possessions have in the sight of God’s perspective. Again this is not to say that by using money we can buy our way into heaven. “Gaining friends” simply means to make disciples who will eventually become our friends forever. So when our wealth is gone which means when we die, our friends will be there to welcome us in heaven. For then, we need not have to stand facing our Maker empty-handed as unprofitable servants.